Thanks to bodomdragon for pointing out in the wishlist thread that we were missing this thread for next year, and it's always fun to speculate. Heck, at least a few of our predictions here will probably come true!

Here's the first one, cross-posted:

bodomdragon wrote:Gloryhammer and Civil War just announced a european tour which will take place along January until the 27th. Very convenient dates, they could do the cruise right after that.

Adding in those from 2017 that didn't end up on the lineup, removing those that did and those rumours that were more of the 'because they are touring around the time of the cruise' rumours:

Aborted - were asked twice (Barge & 2014) but could not make it before. They keep Jan-Feb free to be able to do it.Accept - one member was on other than the Victory guys to check out the boat previously and see if they wanna do itAmon Amarth - were meant to be on 2016 but it fell through. Were allegedly in talks for 2017. Anneke Van Giersbergen/The Sirens - told a cruiser she wants onBlackguard - were negotiating to be on 2014. Candlemass - 'outed' in a 70k advert in Metal Hammer for 2017 but never happened.Circle II Circle - offer to play every year.Crimson Shadows - were negotiating to be on 2014Crystal Eyes - Contacted UMC for the 2015 cruise.Diabulus in Musica - want to be on broadDoro - loves cruises!Ensiferum - to be the first band to do 70k four times.Exodus - love the cruiseGrand Magus - told a cruiser they were booked for 2017Havok - Contacted by UMC for 2016.Heaven Shall Burn - keen to do the cruiseJaded Star - stated in an interview that they want to be on broadKampfar - cruiser heard at Summer Breeze they were booked for 2015Leaves Eyes - seen with Andy at the Metal Hammer awards 2015Leprous - keen to do the cruiseMegora - band member is founder of UMCMetal Church - leaked the news that they were on broad 2015 but the change of lead singers blew that. Morgoth - told a cruiser they would be on broad for 2016Primordial - told a cruiser they would be on broad for 2016Sabaton - love the cruise.Secret Rule - trying to get on broad.Septicflesh - Itching to returnSkeletonwitch - believed to be in negotiations with UMC for 2015Solstice wants to get on broadSonata Arctica - wanted to be on 2014 but "the promoter went missing"Swallow The Sun - they wanted on in 2016Thrash or Die - begging to comeTristania - would love to do the cruise again.Van Canto - Asked to do 2016 but couldn't do it due to work commitments.Venom - performed at Heavy MTL 2015Wintersun - told a cruiser they want to returnWithin Temptation - performed at Heavy MTL 2015

Last edited by cowboy71 on Tue Jun 20, 2017 3:32 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Also: Scale the Summit -- responded today on Facebook when I mentioned 70K 2018 with "We would love to do it!" I'm sure they're not everyone's thing and they could easily play Cruise to the Edge instead, but I like 'em, damnit.

Phoenix wrote:We can probably put Gojira on here, hey? Would have played if not for the family emergency, seemed to feel really bad about not being able to at the last minute this year.

Yes, absolutely. If I were Andy I'd announce them in the first batch. (But, as we know, no-one is Andy...except maybe Andy. )

Phoenix wrote:We can probably put Gojira on here, hey? Would have played if not for the family emergency, seemed to feel really bad about not being able to at the last minute this year.

I could be totally wrong, but I kind of feel like that was a bogus excuse. We already know that the Nile excuse was bogus. They didn't play because Dallas had exited the band, and they weren't ready to announce it yet. Either way, Gojira has absolutely exploded in the past year, and I feel they have probably outgrown this event.

Downvod wrote:I could be totally wrong, but I kind of feel like that was a bogus excuse. We already know that the Nile excuse was bogus. They didn't play because Dallas had exited the band, and they weren't ready to announce it yet. Either way, Gojira has absolutely exploded in the past year, and I feel they have probably outgrown this event.

What kind of dicks do you have to be to fake your brother being in mortal peril to get out of playing a metal cruise that people bought tickets solely to see you play on?

Downvod wrote:I could be totally wrong, but I kind of feel like that was a bogus excuse. We already know that the Nile excuse was bogus. They didn't play because Dallas had exited the band, and they weren't ready to announce it yet. Either way, Gojira has absolutely exploded in the past year, and I feel they have probably outgrown this event.

What kind of dicks do you have to be to fake your brother being in mortal peril to get out of playing a metal cruise that people bought tickets solely to see you play on?

I get that... it's just odd. People said that this has happened several times where bands drop last minute, and it seems like the same exact excuse is given, and even phrased the same way. There was no statement from Gojira, and it seemed like they remained pretty active on social media and playing shows like nothing was wrong around that time. Again, maybe I'm totally wrong.

Downvod wrote:I could be totally wrong, but I kind of feel like that was a bogus excuse. We already know that the Nile excuse was bogus. They didn't play because Dallas had exited the band, and they weren't ready to announce it yet. Either way, Gojira has absolutely exploded in the past year, and I feel they have probably outgrown this event.

What kind of dicks do you have to be to fake your brother being in mortal peril to get out of playing a metal cruise that people bought tickets solely to see you play on?

I get that... it's just odd. People said that this has happened several times where bands drop last minute, and it seems like the same exact excuse is given, and even phrased the same way.

So bands frequently agree to play a cruise, then claim that a member's brother is in mortal peril to avoid playing it?

There was no statement from Gojira, and it seemed like they remained pretty active on social media and playing shows like nothing was wrong around that time. Again, maybe I'm totally wrong.

Umm....yeah.

According to reports at the time (and I think Gojira DID release a statement at the time, anyone remember?), they were concerned about performing on a cruise on a ship halfway across the world from Europe with no quick or easy way to return in case they needed to get back in a hurry. With good reason: it's difficult (and expensive) to evac from a ship at sea by helicopter, and sometimes it's physically impossible due to distance. Performing shows in Europe would not have that problem since, if needed, they could get to their ailing relative's bedside within hours. FWIW, I think that's totally understandable, and I'd love to see them get a second chance at 70K.

Pellaz wrote:According to reports at the time (and I think Gojira DID release a statement at the time, anyone remember?)

I'm quite certain they did, or at least that Andy released one for them. That's why I'm quite certain it's family. Lemme see if I can go on a forums dive at least.

EDIT: Gojira didn't make a post on their facebook page, so I guess the band can't confirm or deny such things, but here's the post Andy made.

Andy wrote:Sailors! This is your Skipper speaking. Unfortunately, I have some bad news to share with you.

GOJIRA will not be joining us onbroad next week. This is due to a serious medical issue of a very close family member that requires them to get back home at a moment's notice should the situation get worse. This is possible while they are on tour in their home country, but not while they are on a ship at Sea at the other end of the world. I am sure I speak for all of us when I send this message to France: Nous souhaitons de tout cœur beaucoup de force et de confiance, ainsi qu'un bon rétablissement!

Still though, if that's the excuse the Skipper gives for a band that backs out last minute because they're divas, he needs to stop doing that. I'd much rather a band say "nah we're too big for our britches" than lie about someone they care about being really sick.

And I'm also adding, the Duplantier brothers lost their mother last year (or two years ago, can't remember exactly). So the chances of them using a serious medical condition as an excuse not to come is close to zero, this is not something they're going to play with lightly.

Mal2000 wrote:I would add - that NeObliviscaris want to play cruise. They were very disappointed Andy did not ask them in 2016 when they were on tour in Florida

There might be more -- or less -- to that story, but....yeah. No question they'd like to play and I'd love it if they could. They're from Australia, though, so it wouldn't be something Andy or NeO could do lightly. Maybe schedule a US tour using the 70K dates as an anchor? They were SPLENDID when they headlined here; really great show and a bigger crowd than I'd expected.

cowboy71 wrote:Metal Church - leaked the news that they were on broad last year.

Did an interviewed with one of the Metal Church guys a few days. They love doing cruises.

Where was it leaked? And did they leak that they were ON it last year (because they totally weren't)--or leaked last year that they're going to be on THIS year?

Statsman copied an old rumors list from the prior year. His note about Metal Church would have been from 2016 lineup speculation and referring to the 2015 cruise. If I remember correctly, the actual leak would have been in 2014, during the leadup to the 2015 cruise. Bravewords posted that Metal Church was to be on the cruise before any announcement from UMC. Band members had the date/information posted on their social media when that article came out. Then the prior vocalist (Ronny Munroe) left the band. All information disappeared & they ended up not being onbroad. In 2016, they were booked during the same time-frame for the MORC.

Ok I'm new here. Thinking about coming to 70k this year with my wife. Have few things to ask and want to give my list.1. How much will it be for 2 good drinkers?2. Do the bands run 24 hours?3. Is it as easy as it looks in the video's?

John Sch wrote:Ok I'm new here. Thinking about coming to 70k this year with my wife. Have few things to ask and want to give my list.1. How much will it be for 2 good drinkers?2. Do the bands run 24 hours?3. Is it as easy as it looks in the video's?

2. Close. The last show typically goes on at around 5:00am, and shows start back up at 10:00am, so there is about a 4 hour break in the action (Though there is karaoke going on during that time if just want to keep going)

3. Absolutely. Once you get on board, aside from money for drinks and merch, everything else is taken care of and included for the most part. Once your on board, just decide who you want to see and show up at the right time and place, and there it is. Using my un-offical Phone/Android app on board will help with that part (70K Bands). The only show that gets remotely 'too crowded to see' would be the Jamming with Waters all star jam...but even this has never been a huge issue if you want to see it.

Last edited by slayergeek on Mon Jun 19, 2017 12:00 pm, edited 2 times in total.

I've seen griping on CruiseCritic that Royal has increased their alcohol prices fleetwide...probably to encourage people to buy one of their drink packages...so prices for us might be a bit higher in 2018. Naturally, WE don't get those packages during 70K. (They'd go broke. )

Aborted - were asked twice (Barge & 2014) but could not make it before. They keep Jan-Feb free to be able to do it.Accept - one member was on other than the Victory guys to check out the boat previously and see if they wanna do itAmon Amarth - were meant to be on 2016 but it fell through. Were allegedly in talks for 2017. Anneke Van Giersbergen/The Sirens - told a cruiser she wants onBlackguard - were negotiating to be on 2014. Candlemass - 'outed' in a 70k advert in Metal Hammer for 2017 but never happened.Circle II Circle - offer to play every year.Crimson Shadows - were negotiating to be on 2014Crystal Eyes - Contacted UMC for the 2015 cruise.Diabulus in Musica - want to be on broadDoro - loves cruises!Ensiferum - to be the first band to do 70k four times.Exodus - love the cruiseGrand Magus - told a cruiser they were booked for 2017Havok - Contacted by UMC for 2016.Heaven Shall Burn - keen to do the cruiseJaded Star - stated in an interview that they want to be on broadKampfar - cruiser heard at Summer Breeze they were booked for 2015Leaves Eyes - seen with Andy at the Metal Hammer awards 2015Leprous - keen to do the cruiseMegora - band member is founder of UMCMetal Church - leaked the news that they were on broad 2015 but the change of lead singers blew that. Morgoth - told a cruiser they would be on broad for 2016Primordial - told a cruiser they would be on broad for 2016Sabaton - love the cruise.Secret Rule - trying to get on broad.Septicflesh - Itching to returnSkeletonwitch - believed to be in negotiations with UMC for 2015Solstice wants to get on broadSonata Arctica - wanted to be on 2014 but "the promoter went missing"Swallow The Sun - they wanted on in 2016Thrash or Die - begging to comeTristania - would love to do the cruise again.Van Canto - Asked to do 2016 but couldn't do it due to work commitments.Venom - performed at Heavy MTL 2015Wintersun - told a cruiser they want to returnWithin Temptation - performed at Heavy MTL 2015

Grey Skies Fallen posted on Facebook about 70K... now, they might just be thinking about attending as fans, but they're an amazing band who'd do great onbroad, and who somehow still fit the Cripper award category despite existing since the 90s (just criminally unknown)

Freedom Call would like to be back (Lars told me in February, when I met them at Pratteln, that he was jealous when he knew that I was back from the cruise )Few members of Derdian told me that it would be a dream for them to be on the ship, but still waiting even I request them since 2012, before my first cruise Veonity would also like to be there

Much want:Aeternam-/-Alkaloid-/-Arkaik-/-Be'Lakor-/-Bloodshot.Dawn-/-Conquering.Dystopia-/-First.Fragment-/-Hypocrisy-/-Inferi-/-Persefone-/-Persuader-/-Vale.Of.Pnath

Also want:Andy.James-/-Amiensus-/-Anubis.Gate-/-Arcturus-/-Barren.Earth-/-Caligula's.Horse-/-Chthonic-/-Enfold.Darkness-/-Entrails-/-Eternal.Tears.Of.Sorrow-/-Ex.Deo-/-Firesoul-/-Ghost.Brigade-/-Gorod-/-Haken-/-Harakiri.For.The.Sky-/-Ihsahn-/-In.Mourning-/-In.Vain-/-Krampus-/-Lost.Society-/-Madder.Mortem-/-Marty.Friedman-/-Meadows.End-/-Mistur-/-October.Tide-/-Rodrigo.y.Gabriela-/-Russkaja-/-Saor-/-Savatage-/-Snowy.Shaw-/-Spawn.Of.Possession-/-Steel.Panther-/-Stormlord-/-Suidakra-/-Teramaze-/-Toxik-/-Virvum-/-Vuur-/-Wilderun-/-Witherfall-/-Whispered-/-Wolfchant-/-Wolfheart-/-Wyrd-/-Xanthochroid